Special Pujas Held in Tamil Nadu Temple for Kamala Harris’s Presidential Victory

Chennai: In a show of support for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, special pujas were conducted at the Shree Dharmasastha Temple in Thulaseendrapuram, Tamil Nadu, on Monday and Tuesday, coinciding with the final days of the presidential election campaign. This temple holds personal significance for Harris, as it is the ancestral temple of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan.

The Sree Dharmasastha Temple is deeply rooted in Harris’s family history. Her grandfather, P. C. Gopalan, was instrumental in the renovation of the temple, and the family has maintained a tradition of visiting the site for pujas dedicated to their family deity. Kumaresan, a local villager, expressed the village’s sentiments, stating, “The whole village is praying for Kamala, who has roots here. Several poojas have been conducted for her across many temples, including her ancestral Sree Dharmasastha Temple.”

The community is united in their hopes for Harris’s success in the election. Villagers are proud of her journey and recognize the potential impact of her position on global affairs. As part of their support, they have been engaging in prayer and rituals, emphasizing their belief in her capability to influence the world stage. “She is a woman fighting for a position that can influence global affairs, and we are proud to be part of her legacy. We are praying earnestly for her victory,” Kumaresan added.

Should Kamala Harris emerge victorious in the election, the village has plans to commemorate the occasion with ‘annadanam,’ a tradition of free food distribution to celebrate significant events and express gratitude. This cultural practice not only reflects the village’s support for Harris but also highlights their strong community spirit and connection to their ancestral heritage.